Things could soon get tougher for ticket touts.
After several frustrating cases of scalpers swooping and quickly selling out popular shows before reselling passes at inflated prices online, authorities are considering changing the laws to crackdown on the practice.
In a discussion paper submitted to the Legislative Council this week, the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) advanced several measures to target touts.
Among them, amending the Public Entertainment Ordinance — which prohibits scalping at private venues — to cover government-run sites like the City Hall in Central, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom, and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Yau Ma Tei.
The move would prohibit reselling tickets at a higher price exceeding its original amount for shows at venues run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, with those caught violating the law liable for a HK$2,000 (US$255) fine.
However, while such a change would “convey a message” that “profiteering on ticket resale is illegal” it would also pose problems, the paper noted.
These include inconveniencing patrons unable to attend shows as well as those reliant on agents to purchase tickets indirectly.
With much of the resale activity happening online, authorities noted difficulties with enforcement particularly with cases outside of Hong Kong.
The government also proposed using “personalized ticketing” — meaning only those who bought the pass can use it — but noted ID checks could cause delays at shows.
In the paper, which was submitted ahead of a hearing on the issue next week, the administration also noted already taken measures to combat touts, including limiting the number of tickets an individual can buy and encouraging organizers to release more passes for public sale.
The proposals come after Carrie Lam promised to get tough on the practice following several quickly sold out shows linked to scalpers.
One, a performance by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, sold out within minutes of tickets becoming available, prompting organizers to arrange an additional performance.
In a similar case, passes for a tour “farewell tour” by local comedian Dayo Wong at the Coliseum were also slurped up within a day before being resold online for several times the price.
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